Card for information equipment, and terminal for information equipment

ABSTRACT

A PC card has a card body portion in which a first card terminal portion is formed in one end and a second card terminal portion is formed in the other end. The card terminal portion has a chip slot. A SIM card inserted through an insertion port into the chip slot is electrically connected to a printed circuit board. The insertion port of the chip slot is opened in an outer side face of the second card terminal portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromthe prior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2004-255645 filed on Sep. 2,2004, No. 2004-255646 filed on Sep. 2, 2004, and No. 2004-255647 filedon Sep. 2, 2004, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a terminal for information equipmentsuch as a PC card or a USB communication terminal which is to beinserted into information equipment such as a portable computer or a PDA(Personal Digital Assistant), and particularly a technique forconnecting and holding a chip card on which identifying information isrecorded, such as a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card, a UIM (UserIdentity Module) card, or a USIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module)card, on a PC card or a terminal for information equipment.

2. Description of the Related Art

Some of PC cards of this kind are used for expanding the function ofinformation equipment (a portable computer, hereinafter oftenabbreviated to “PC”) and causing the information equipment to serve as atransmitting and receiving terminal for radio communication. In the casewhere such a PC card is used by plural persons, the following countermeasure is taken in order to manage the use of each subscriber. In astate where a SIM card on which personal data and identifyinginformation such as a subscriber telephone number are recorded isinserted to a PC card, the PC card is inserted into a slot of a PC to beelectrically connected thereto. The identifying information of the SIMcard is transmitted via the PC card.

A PC card is configured in accordance with the standard of PCMCIA(Personal Computer Memory Card International Association). In the caseof Type 2, for example, the size is specified to the width: 54 mm×thelength: 86.5 mm×the thickness: 5 mm. When a SIM card having a thicknessof about 0.8 mm is to be inserted to such a very thin PC card, variousdifficulties in design arise in viewpoints such as the installationspace.

In the related art, therefore, a mechanism of only sliding and insertinga SIM card into a PC card is employed. When the SIM card is to bedetached, an exposed portion of the SIM card must be nipped. Therefore,the operability is poor, and bending stress or the like is generated inthe nipped portion, thereby causing a possibility that internal breakageoccurs.

Recently, in order to solve the problems of the operability, theconnection reliability, and the like, a PC card in which an ejectingmechanism is employed has been proposed. In the PC card, a middleportion of the PC card is cut away, and an ejecting mechanism which isattached to the cutaway portion causes a SIM card to be inserted andextracted in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction of thePC card.

In a related PC card, when a SIM card is erroneously extracted duringoperation, there is a possibility that a circuit board of the PC card isbroken. In a state where a PC card is inserted to a PC, therefore, thePC card must be protected so that an erroneous operation of extracting aSIM card does not occur.

By contrast, in the PC card having the ejecting mechanism, the cutawayportion for the ejecting mechanism is formed in the middle portion ofthe PC card, and hence the strength of the PC card itself is weakened.Even when the PC card is reinforced, the circuit board may be broken bytwisting of the PC card or the like. Furthermore, the cutaway of the PCcard and an insertion port of the ejecting mechanism cause the circuitboard and the like of the SIM card or the PC card to be under theinfluence of electrical noises. There is a problem in that acountermeasure against noises generated by this configuration is notsufficiently provided even by a shield.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a card for informationequipment and a terminal for information equipment in which the strengthof the card itself can be held to prevent a circuit board or the likefrom being destroyed, and an erroneous operation of extracting a chipcard in a state where the card or the terminal is inserted toinformation equipment can be prevented from occurring.

Another object of the invention is to provide a card for informationequipment and a terminal for information equipment which is hardlyaffected by electrical noises caused inside information equipment.

The invention provides a card which is to be inserted into a card slotof an information equipment, having: a card terminal portion which iselectrically connected to the information equipment in a state where thecard is inserted into the card slot; and a chip slot which is providedfor inserting a chip card into the card, wherein an insertion port ofthe chip slot is provided in a surface which is not facing to internalsurfaces of the card slot, and the chip card is restricted to be ejectedfrom the insertion port when the card is inserted into the card slot.

The invention is applied to a card for information equipment having asingle plate-like shape or a card for information equipment with anextending portion.

The invention provides a card for information equipment, having: a cardbody portion which is to be inserted into a card slot of the informationequipment; a card terminal portion which is electrically connected tothe information equipment in a state where the card body portion isinserted into the card slot; and a chip slot which is provided forinserting a chip card into the card body portion, wherein an insertionport of the chip slot is placed in an insertion port of the card slotwhen the card body portion is inserted into the card slot, the card bodyportion has an operation portion which is provided for ejecting a chipcard inserted into the chip slot, and the operation portion is placed soas to be covered by the card slot when the card body portion is insertedinto the card slot.

The invention also provides a card for information equipment, having: acard body portion which is to be inserted into a card slot of theinformation equipment; a card terminal portion which is electricallyconnected to the information equipment in a state where the card bodyportion is inserted into the card slot; and a card extending portionwhich projects from the card slot in a state where the card body portionis inserted, wherein the card extending portion has a chip slot which isprovided for inserting a chip card into the card body portion, aninsertion port of the chip slot is placed on an outer side face whichleads to an insertion port of the card slot when the card body portionis inserted into the card slot, the card body portion has an operationportion which is provided for ejecting a chip card inserted into thechip slot, and the operation portion is placed so as to be covered bythe card slot when the card body portion is inserted into the card slot.

According to the cards for information equipment, the chip slot to whichthe chip card is to be inserted is disposed in the another end portionof the card body portion or the card extending portion, and theinsertion port of the chip slot is placed in an end face of the anotherend portion of the card body portion or the outer side face of the cardextending portion. Therefore, the chip card can be easily inserted.Further, although a cutaway portion is not disposed in the card bodyportion, the strength of the card itself can be held to prevent acircuit board or the like from being destroyed.

Furthermore, when the card for information equipment is inserted intothe card slot of the information equipment, the operation portion forejecting the chip card is covered by the card slot of the informationequipment. Therefore, in an inserted state of the card for informationequipment, an erroneous operation of extracting the chip card from thecard for information equipment can be prevented from occurring.

The invention also provides a card for information equipment, having: acard body portion which is to be inserted into a card slot of theinformation equipment; a card terminal portion which is electricallyconnected to an equipment terminal portion in the information equipmentin a state where the card body portion is inserted into the card slot;and a card extending portion which projects from the card slot in astate where the card body portion is inserted, wherein the cardextending portion has a chip housing portion which houses a chip card,and a chip cover which exposes or covers the chip housing portion inaccordance with selection of an open state or a close state, and theclose state of the chip cover is not canceled in a state where the cardbody portion is inserted into the card slot, and the card terminalportion is not electrically connected to the equipment terminal portionin the open state of the chip cover.

According to the card for information equipment, a cutaway is notdisposed in the card body portion, and the chip housing portion isdisposed in the card extending portion, and exposed or covered by thechip cover. Therefore, the chip card is connected and held outside theinformation equipment, and can be excluded from the influence ofelectrical noises generated in the information equipment. Furthermore,the strength of the card itself can be held, and a circuit board and thelike can be prevented from being broken.

Furthermore, the chip card housed in the card extending portion isinserted or extracted by opening or closing the chip cover. The chipcover is not opened in a state where the card body portion is insertedinto the card slot of the information equipment. Therefore, in a statewhere the card is inserted to the information equipment, an erroneousoperation of extracting the chip card can be prevented from occurring.

The invention is applied to a card type terminal such as a PC card, or abox type terminal such as a USB communication terminal.

The invention also provides a terminal for information equipment,having: a card body portion which is to be inserted into a card slot ofthe information equipment; a card terminal portion which is electricallyconnected to the information equipment in a state where the card bodyportion is inserted into the card slot; and a card extending portionwhich is provided on another end side of the card body so that the cardextending portion projects from the card slot in a state where the cardbody portion is inserted, wherein the card extending portion has a chipslot which is provided for inserting a chip card into the card bodyportion, and an insertion port of the chip slot is placed on a surfacethereof opposed to an insertion port of the card slot when the card bodyportion is inserted into the card slot.

The invention also provides a terminal for information equipment,having: a USB plug which is to be inserted into a USB slot ofinformation equipment, and is electrically connected to the informationequipment; and a terminal body portion which is provided on one end sideof the USB plug so that the terminal body portion projects from the USBslot in a state where the USB plug is inserted, wherein the terminalbody portion has a chip slot which is provided for inserting a chip cardinto the terminal body portion, and an insertion port of the chip slotis placed on a surface thereof opposed to an insertion port of the USBslot when the USB plug is inserted into the USB slot.

In the specification, the face of “circuit board” includes faces ofconnection terminals.

According to the terminal for information equipment, the chip slot isdisposed in the card extending portion or the terminal body portion, andthe chip card is inserted to the chip slot. Therefore, the chip card isconnected and held outside the information equipment, and can beexcluded from the influence of electrical noises generated in theinformation equipment.

Furthermore, an insertion port of the chip slot is placed in a side facewhich is opposed to the card slot of the information equipment.Therefore, in a state where the card for information equipment isinserted into the card slot of the information equipment, an erroneousoperation of extracting the chip card from the card for informationequipment can be prevented from occurring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration ofa PC card of a first embodiment in a state where a SIM card is inserted,and FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the PC card in a state wherethe SIM card is ejected;

FIG. 2 is a section view showing the PC card of the first embodimentinserted to a PC, in a state where the SIM card is ejected;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration ofa PC card of a second embodiment in a state where a SIM card is ejected;

FIG. 4A is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a PCcard (in a state where a chip cover is opened) of a third embodiment,and FIG. 4B is a rear view of the PC card;

FIG. 5A is a plan view showing a state where the PC card of the thirdembodiment is inserted to a PC (in a state where the chip cover issubstantially closed), and FIG. 5B is a front view of the PC card andthe PC;

FIG. 6A is a plan view showing a state where the PC card of the thirdembodiment is inserted to the PC (in a state where the chip cover isopened), and FIG. 6B is a front view of the PC card and the PC;

FIG. 7A is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a PCcard (in a state where a chip cover is closed) of a fourth embodiment,FIG. 7B is a plan view of the PC card (in a state where the chip coveris opened), and FIG. 7C is a rear view of the PC card (in a state wherethe chip cover is opened);

FIG. 8A is a plan view showing a state where the PC card of the fourthembodiment is inserted to a PC (in a state where a chip cover isclosed), and FIG. 8B is a front view of the PC card (in a state wherethe chip cover is opened) and the PC;

FIG. 9A is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a PCcard of a fifth embodiment, FIG. 9B is a right side view of the PC card,and FIG. 9C is a front section view of the PC card;

FIG. 10A is a plan view showing a state where the PC card of the fifthembodiment is inserted to a PC, and FIG. 10B is a front view of the PCcard and the PC;

FIG. 11A is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a PCcard of a sixth embodiment, and FIG. 11B is an enlarged view of aportion P in FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12A is a right side section view taken along the line X-X of FIG.11A, and FIG. 12B is a front section view taken along the line Y-Y ofFIG. 11A; and

FIG. 13A is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a USBcommunication terminal of a seventh embodiment, FIG. 13B is a right sideview of the USB communication terminal, and FIG. 13C is a plan viewshowing a state where the USB communication terminal is inserted to aPC.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

A first embodiment of the card for information equipment of theinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration ofa PC card of the first embodiment in a state where a SIM card isinserted, FIG. 1B is a perspective view showing the PC card in a statewhere the SIM card is ejected, and FIG. 2 is a section view showing thePC card of the first embodiment inserted to a PC, in a state where theSIM card is ejected.

As shown in FIG. 1A, 1B, or 2, the PC card 101 of the first embodimentis a PC card having a single plate-like shape, and, in a state where theSIM card 102 is connected and held and the PC card is inserted into a PCslot 111 of a PC 110, is used for expanding the function of the PC 110,or causing the PC to function as a radio communication terminal. The SIMcard 102 incorporates a circuit board (not shown) on which identifyinginformation is recorded, and has a rectangular card-like shape in whichconnection terminals 102 a are formed on the rear face.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the PC card 101 of the first embodiment hasa card body portion 103 in which a first card terminal portion 103 a isformed in one end and a second card terminal portion 103 b is formed inthe other end.

The card body portion 103 has a thin rectangular case-like shape whichis built into a resin-made frame in a state where upper and lower plate131 and 132 that are thin metal plates overlap with each other, andincorporates a printed circuit board 109, etc. The term of “upper face”of the card body portion 103 means a face on the operation side of thePC 110 in the case where the PC card 101 is inserted into the PC slot111, and the term of “lower face” of the card body portion 103 means aface on the installation side of the PC 110.

The first card terminal portion 103 a for a PC card bus (32 bits) isformed in one end of the printed circuit board 109. The first cardterminal portion 103 a is exposed from the one end side (the insertionside of the PC card 101) of the card body portion 103, and to beelectrically connected to a PC terminal portion (not shown) which ismounted in an inner part of the PC slot 111.

In the embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, 1B, or 2, a chip slot 107 isdisposed inside the second card terminal portion 103 b. In the chip slot107, the SIM card 102 inserted through an insertion port 107 a isinserted by a chip slider 125 to be placed above the printed circuitboard 109, and, in this state, the connection terminals 102 a of the SIMcard 102 are electrically contacted to spring terminals 109 a on theprinted circuit board 109. Furthermore, an eject switch (operationportion) 120 is disposed in the card body portion 103. The eject switch120 is used for ejecting the SIM card 102 through the insertion port 107a. Hereinafter, the configurations of the chip slot 107 and the ejectswitch 120 will be described specifically.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second card terminal portion 103 b is configuredby the upper and lower plate 131 and 132, and a gate portion 121disposed between the plates. The insertion port 107 a of the chip slot107 is formed so as to be passed through the gate portion 121, andopened in an outer side face of the second card terminal portion 103 b(an end face opposite to the first card terminal portion 103 a). Frontand rear stoppers 124 and 123 are juxtaposed on the lower face of theupper plate 131, with forming a predetermined gap in the anteroposteriordirection (the direction to the first card terminal portion 103 a andthe second card terminal portion 103 b). The chip slider 125 is disposedbelow the front and rear stoppers 124 and 123. The chip slider 125 isformed into a plate-like shape having an L-like section so as to justfit with a tip end portion of the SIM card 102 which is inserted throughthe insertion port 107 a.

The chip slider 125 is placed so as to abut against the lower faces ofthe front and rear stoppers 124 and 123, and guided thereby to bereciprocally movable in the insertion direction A1− of the SIM card 102or the extraction direction A1+.

By contrast, the eject switch 120 is fixed to the upper face of the chipslider 125. The eject switch 120 is a member having a substantiallyT-like section shape, and used for moving the chip slider 125. A switchrecess portion 103 c is formed in the upper plate 131. The switch recessportion 103 c is configured so that an air gap portion sandwiched by thefront and rear stoppers 124 and 123 houses the eject switch 120, and theupper face of the eject switch 120 does not protruded from the upperplate 131 or is placed at a position lower than the upper plate.

The eject switch 120 is reciprocally movable in the switch recessportion 103 c in the insertion direction A1− of the SIM card 102 or theextraction direction A1+. The chip slider 125 is moved in conjunctionwith this movement.

In accordance with the insertion of the SIM card 102, the chip slider125 is moved in the insertion direction A1− of the card, and is stoppedwhen the eject switch 120 abuts against the front stopper 124. Theposition where the chip slider 125 is stopped is set so that a rear endportion of the SIM card 102 is not protruded from the insertion port 107a of the chip slot 107.

Next, the use manner or function of the PC card 101 of the embodimentwill be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, when the SIM card 102 is to be inserted tothe PC card 101, the card is inserted from the insertion port 107 a ofthe second card terminal portion 103 b, and then inserted into the chipslot 107. In this case, in accordance with the insertion of the SIM card102, the chip slot 107 is moved in the insertion direction A1−, and, inconjunction with this, the eject switch 120 is moved in the insertiondirection A1−. As shown in FIG. 2, when the PC card 101 is inserted intothe PC slot 111 of the PC 110, the insertion port 107 a of the chip slot107 is placed so as to be exposed in an insertion port 111 a of the PCslot 111, and the eject switch 120 is covered by the upper face of thePC slot 111.

As described above, in the embodiment, when the PC card 101 is insertedinto the PC slot 111, the eject switch 120 for ejecting the SIM card 102is covered by the PC slot 111. In the state where the PC card 101 isinserted, therefore, an erroneous operation of extracting the SIM card102 from the PC card 101 is prevented from occurring.

In this point, particularly, the chip slider 125 is moved in conjunctionwith the eject switch 120. Therefore, the chip slider 125 is not movedin the extraction direction A1+ of the SIM card 102 unless the ejectswitch 120 is operated, and hence the extraction of the SIM card 102 ina state where the PC card 101 is inserted can be surely prevented fromoccurring. When the SIM card 102 is inserted to the chip slot 107, therear end portion of the SIM card 102 is not protruded from the insertionport 107 a of the chip slot 107. Therefore, the SIM card 102 can beprevented from being nipped away.

In the embodiment, the insertion port 107 a of the chip slot 107 isplaced in the end face of the second card terminal portion 103 b.Therefore, the SIM card 102 can be easily inserted, and a cutawayportion is not disposed in the card body portion 103 so that thestrength of the card itself can be held to prevent the circuit board orthe like from being destroyed.

In the embodiment, in the state where the PC card 101 is inserted intothe PC slot 111, the insertion port 107 a of the chip slot 107 isexposed in the insertion port 111 a of the PC slot 111. Consequently, itis possible to easily visually check whether the SIM card 102 isinserted into the chip slot 107 or not.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the card for information equipment of theinvention will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration ofa PC card of the second embodiment in a state where a SIM card isejected.

As shown in FIG. 3, the PC card 101A of the second embodiment is a PCcard with an extending portion consisting of the card body portion 103and a card extending portion 104, and is different mainly from the firstembodiment in that the chip slot 107 is disposed in the card extendingportion 104. Hereinafter, this point will be described in detail, and,with the other configuration, the same reference numerals as those ofthe first embodiment are used and their description is omitted.

The card extending portion 104 is a thick case member which extends fromthe other end of the card body portion 103 in the longitudinal direction(the extracting direction of the SIM card 102) A+, and incorporates theprinted circuit board 109 extending from the card body portion 103, andan internal antenna (not shown). The thus configured card extendingportion 104 is placed so as to be protruded from the insertion port ofthe PC slot 111 in the state where the card body portion 103 is insertedinto the PC slot 111.

In the embodiment, the chip slot 107 is disposed inside the cardextending portion 104, and extends in the insertion direction A1− of theSIM card 102 to reach the card body portion 103. The chip slider 125 isdisposed inside the card body portion 103, and the eject switch 120 isfixed to the chip slider.

The insertion port 107 a of the chip slot 107 is opened in an outer sideface of the card extending portion 104 (a side face opposite to thefirst card terminal portion 103 a), and, when the card body portion 103is inserted into the PC slot 111, placed at a position which leads tothe insertion port of the PC slot 111 in the end face of the PC 110 (seeFIG. 2).

In the embodiment, a check plate 104 a is fitted into the upper face ofthe card extending portion 104. The check plate 104 a is formed so as tobe transparent or translucent, and placed above the chip slot 107. Whenthe SIM card 102 is inserted to the chip slot 107, the SIM card 102 canbe visible through the card extending portion.

As described above, in the embodiment, the transparent or translucentcheck plate 104 a is disposed in the card extending portion 104 to makethe SIM card 102 visible through the card extending portion. Therefore,it is possible to easily know whether the SIM card 102 is inserted intothe chip slot 107 or not.

In the embodiment, the insertion port 107 a of the chip slot 107 in theend face of the card extending portion 104 is placed at the positionwhich leads to the insertion port 111 a of the PC slot 111 in the endface of the PC 110. Therefore, the SIM card 102 can be mounted at aheight in the vicinity of the printed circuit board 109 of the card bodyportion 103, and hence the thickness of the connection terminals of theprinted circuit board 109 can be reduced. In accordance with this, alsothe thickness of the card extending portion 104 can be reduced.

The other configuration and effects of the PC card 101A are identicalwith those of the first embodiment.

Third Embodiment

Next, a third embodiment of the card for information equipment of theinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 4A to 6B.

FIG. 4A is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a PCcard (in a state where a chip cover is opened) of the third embodiment,FIG. 4B is a rear view of the PC card, FIG. 5A is a plan view showing astate where the PC card of the third embodiment is inserted to a PC (ina state where the chip cover is substantially closed), FIG. 5B is afront view of the PC card and the PC, FIG. 6A is a plan view showing astate where the PC card of the third embodiment is inserted to the PC(in a state where the chip cover is opened), and FIG. 6B is a front viewof the PC card and the PC.

As shown in FIG. 4A, 4B, 5A, or 5B, the PC card 201 of the thirdembodiment is, in a state where a SIM card 202 is connected and held andinserted into a PC slot 211 of a PC 210, used for expanding the functionof the PC 210, or causing the PC to function as a radio communicationterminal. The SIM card 202 incorporates a circuit board (not shown) onwhich identifying information is recorded, and has a rectangularcard-like shape in which connection terminals 202 a are formed on therear face. Hereinafter, the configuration of PC card 201 will bespecifically described.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the PC card 201 has a card body portion 203and a card extending portion 204.

The card body portion 203 has a thin rectangular case-like shape inwhich thin metal plates are built into a resin-made frame withoverlapping with each other, and incorporates a printed circuit board(not shown), etc. A card terminal portion 203 a for a PC card bus (32bits) is formed in one end of the printed circuit board. The cardterminal portion 203 a is exposed from the one end side (the insertionside of the PC card) of the card body portion, and to be electricallyconnected to a PC terminal portion 212 which is mounted in an inner partof the PC slot 211.

The card extending portion 204 is a thick case member which extends fromthe other end of the card body portion 203 in the longitudinal direction(the extracting direction) A, and which is placed so as to be protrudedfrom the PC slot 211 in the state where the card body portion 203 isinserted into the PC slot 211 (hereinafter, often referred to as “slotinserted state”) (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). In the slot inserted state, thecard extending portion 204 is placed with forming a gap that is as smallas a degree at which a finger of the operator cannot be inserted, withrespect to a side face 210 a of the PC 210 (substantially identical withthe end face 211 a of the PC slot 211). A face which is to be opposed tothe end face 210 a of the PC 210 is set as “reference opposing face” 204a. An indicator 205 which indicates ON/OFF of a communication state, anexternal antenna 206 which can be housed by rotation, and the like aremounted in the card extending portion 204.

In the embodiment, a chip housing portion 220 and a chip cover 230 aredisposed in the card extending portion 204.

The chip housing portion 220 houses the SIM card 202 to cause the cardto be electrically connected to the printed circuit board, and isconfigured by disposing a card case portion 221 to house the SIM card202, in a recess portion which can be closed by the chip cover 230. Thecard case portion 221 is placed so that the longitudinal direction B ofthe housed SIM card 202 is perpendicular to the longitudinal directionA2 of the PC card 201. An insertion port 221 a of the card case portion221 is opened on the side of one side face of the PC card 201(hereinafter, the side is referred to as “insertion port side”).

Spring terminals (not shown) which are electrically connected to theprinted circuit board are mounted on the upper face of a bottom portionof the card case portion 221. The spring terminals are electricallyconnected to the connection terminals 202 a of the SIM card 202,respectively, and urge the SIM card 202 to press it against the lowerface of an upper portion of the card case portion 221. In order torecognize whether the SIM card 202 is housed or not, the card caseportion 221 is formed so as to be transparent or translucent.

The chip cover 230 is selected to be in the open state or in the closestate to expose or cover the chip housing portion 220. In order toprevent the SIM card 202 from being extracted, the chip cover causes theclose state not to be cancelled in the slot inserted state, and, inorder to prevent the SIM card 202 from being erroneously inserted, thecard terminal portion 203 a not to be electrically connected to the PCterminal portion 212 in the open state. The chip cover 230 will bespecifically described.

The chip cover 230 is formed into a case-like shape which, in the closestate, fills an air gap portion that is deficiently formed by the chiphousing portion 220 in the outer shape of the card extending portion204. The chip cover has an upper portion 231 which is flush with theupper face of the card extending portion 204; a first wall portion(other side portion) 232 which is formed as a wall face on the side ofthe insertion port; and a second wall portion (one side portion) 233which is formed as a wall face on the side of the reference opposingface 204 a. The ceiling face portion 231, the first wall portion 232,and the second wall portion 233 are placed so as to be perpendicular toone another. In order to recognize whether the SIM card 202 is insertedto the card case portion 221 or not, the chip cover 230 is formed to betransparent or translucent.

The chip cover 230 is supported so as to be slidably rotatable about afulcrum 234, and configured so as to be selectively horizontally movedbetween the open state where the longitudinal direction C of the chipcover 230 is parallel to the longitudinal direction A2 of the card bodyportion 203, and the close state where the longitudinal direction C ofthe chip cover 230 is parallel to the longitudinal direction B of thechip housing portion 220.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in the slot inserted state of the card bodyportion 203 and the close state of the chip cover 230, the chip cover230 is placed at a position where the second wall portion 233 is flushwith the reference opposing face and in the vicinity of the end face 210a of the PC 210. The second wall portion 233 abuts against the end face210 a of the PC 210 to block the slidable rotation, and stops the firstwall portion 232 at the cover position of the insertion port 221 a toprevent the close state from being cancelled.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in the open state of the chip cover 230,the chip cover 230 is placed at a position where the first wall portion232 is separated from the reference opposing face 204 a and protrudedtoward the card terminal portion 203 a. The first wall portion 232 abutsagainst the end face 210 a of the PC 210 to block the insertion the PCcard 201, and causes the card terminal portion 203 a not to reach the PCterminal portion 212, thereby preventing the terminal portions frombeing electrically connected to each other.

Specifically, the chip cover 230 is set so that the distance L1 from thefulcrum 234 to the first wall portion 232 causes the distance L2 fromthe abutting position of the end face 210 a of the PC 210 to the cardterminal portion 203 a to be shorter than the distance L3 from theabutting position of the end face 210 a of the PC 210 to the PC terminalportion 212.

As described above, in the embodiment, a cutaway is not disposed in thecard body portion 203, and the chip housing portion 220 is disposed inthe card extending portion 204, and exposed or covered by the chip cover230. Therefore, the SIM card 202 is connected and held outside the PC210, and can be excluded from the influence of electrical noisesgenerated in the PC 210. Furthermore, the strength of the card itselfcan be held, and a circuit board and the like can be prevented frombeing broken.

In the embodiment, furthermore, in the state where the card body portion203 is inserted into the PC slot 211, the chip cover is not opened. Inthe state where the card is inserted to the PC 210, therefore, anerroneous operation of extracting the SIM card 202 can be prevented fromoccurring.

In the embodiment, moreover, in the state where the chip cover 230 isopened, the card terminal portion 203 a is not to be electricallyconnected to the PC terminal portion 212 even when the PC card 201 isinserted into the PC slot 211. Therefore, the power source is notsupplied from the PC 210 to the PC card 201 and the printed circuitboard of the PC card 201 is not operated. In this state, consequently,the SIM card 202 can be safely inserted or extracted.

In the embodiment, moreover, the card case portion 221 of the chiphousing portion 220, and the chip cover 230 are made transparent ortranslucent. Even in the state where the PC card 201 is inserted to thePC 210, therefore, it is possible to know whether the SIM card 202 isinserted to the PC card 201 or not.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, a fourth embodiment of the card for information equipment of theinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A to 7C and FIGS.8A and 8B.

FIG. 7A is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a PCcard (in a state where a chip cover is closed) of the fourth embodiment,FIG. 7B is a plan view of the PC card (in a state where the chip coveris opened), and FIG. 7C is a rear view of the PC card (in a state wherethe chip cover is opened).

FIG. 8A is a plan view showing a state where the PC card of the fourthembodiment is inserted to a PC (in a state where a chip cover isclosed), and FIG. 8B is a front view of the PC card (in a state wherethe chip cover is opened) and the PC.

As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C or FIGS. 8A and 8B, the PC card 201A of thefourth embodiment is different mainly from the third embodiment in theconfigurations of a chip cover 230′ and a chip housing portion 220′.Hereinafter, these points will be described, and, with the otherconfiguration, the same reference numerals as those of the thirdembodiment are used and their description is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, a support shaft 236 for the chip cover isdisposed in one side edge portion of the card extending portion 204 soas to be parallel to the longitudinal direction A2 of the card bodyportion 203. The chip cover 230′ is rotatably supported by the supportshaft 236, and can be opened and closed on the side of the cardextending portion 204 opposite to the support shaft 236. A flangeportion 235 which extends toward the card terminal portion 203 a isformed into a flat plate-like shape in the lower edge of the referenceopposing face 204 a of the card extending portion 204. In the upper faceof the card body portion 203, a recess 203 b into which the flangeportion 235 is just fit is formed in a region from a position in thevicinity of the card extending portion 204 to a position which is to becovered by the PC slot 211 in the slot inserted state.

As shown in FIG. 8A, in a close state of the chip cover 230′, the flangeportion 235 is fit into the recess 203 b and placed in the same plane asthe card body portion 203. The flange portion 235 is inserted togetherwith the card body portion 203 into the PC slot 211, so that, in theslot inserted state, the chip cover 230′ is not opened.

By contrast, as shown in FIG. 8B, in an open state of the chip cover230′, the flange portion 235 is placed at a position separated from thecard body portion 203. A side edge (the right end edge in FIG. 8B) ofthe flange portion 235 abuts against the end face 210 a of the PC 210 toblock the insertion of the card body portion 203, and the card terminalportion 203 a does not reach the PC terminal portion 212, therebypreventing the terminal portions from being electrically connected toeach other.

Specifically, the chip cover 230′ is set so that the elongating distanceL1′ of the flange portion 235 causes the distance L2′ from the abuttingposition of the end face 210 a of the PC 210 to the card terminalportion 203 a to be shorter than the distance L3′ from the abuttingposition of the end face 210 a of the PC 210 to the PC terminal portion212.

In the chip housing portion 220′, as shown in FIG. 7B, the recess whichis to house the SIM card 202 is exposed, and a spring terminal portion(not shown) is mounted on a bottom area of the recess. In the closestate of the chip cover 230′, the chip housing portion 220′ presses theSIM card 202 against the rear face of the chip cover 230′ by the elasticforce of the spring terminal portion.

In the embodiment, the flange portion 235 is inserted over the wholearea of the PC slot 211. Therefore, the close state can be held morestrongly than the case of the third embodiment, and the chip cover 230′exposes thoroughly the chip housing portion 220′. Consequently, theembodiment is more advantageous than the third embodiment because theSIM card 202 can be easily inserted.

The other configuration and effects of the PC card 201A are identicalwith those of the third embodiment.

Fifth Embodiment

Next, a fifth embodiment of the card for information equipment of theinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A to 9C and FIGS.10A and 10B.

FIG. 9A is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a PCcard of the fifth embodiment, FIG. 9B is a right side view of the PCcard, and FIG. 9C is a front section view of the PC card.

FIG. 10A is a plan view showing a state where the PC card of the fifthembodiment is inserted to a PC, and FIG. 10B is a front view of the PCcard and the PC.

As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C or FIGS. 10A and 10B, the PC card 301 of thefifth embodiment is a card type communication terminal, and, in a statewhere a SIM card 302 is connected and held and the PC card is insertedinto a PC slot 311 of the PC 310, is used for expanding the function ofthe PC 310, or causing the PC to function as a radio communicationterminal. The SIM card 302 incorporates a circuit board (not shown) onwhich identifying information is recorded, and has a rectangularcard-like shape in which connection terminals 302 a are formed on therear face. Hereinafter, the configuration of PC card 301 will bespecifically described.

As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the PC card 301 has a card body portion 303and a card extending portion 304.

The card body portion 303 has a thin rectangular case-like shape inwhich thin metal plates are built into a resin-made frame withoverlapping with each other, and incorporates a printed circuit board309, etc. A card terminal portion 303 a for a PC card bus (32 bits) isformed in one end of the printed circuit board 309. The card terminalportion 303 a is exposed from the one end side (the insertion side ofthe PC card) of the card body portion, and to be electrically connectedto a PC terminal portion 312 which is mounted in an inner part of the PCslot 311 (see FIG. 10B).

The card extending portion 304 is a thick case member which extends fromthe other end of the card body portion 303 in the longitudinal direction(the extracting direction of the PC card) A−, and incorporates anotherend portion of the printed circuit board 309 extending from the cardbody portion 303, and an internal antenna (not shown). The cardextending portion 304 is placed so as to be protruded from the insertionport of the PC slot 311 in a state where the card body portion 303 isinserted into the PC slot 311 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B). In the insertedstate, the card extending portion 304 is placed with forming a gap thatis as small as a degree at which a finger of the operator cannot beinserted, with respect to a side face 310 a of the PC 310 (substantiallyidentical with the end face of the PC slot 311). Among side faces of thecard extending portion 304, a face which is to be opposed to the sideface 310 a of the PC 310 is set as “reference opposing face” 304 a.

An indicator 305 which indicates ON/OFF of a communication state, anexternal antenna 306 which can be housed by rotation, and the like aremounted in the card extending portion 304.

In the embodiment, a chip slot 307 into which the inserted SIM card 302is inserted is disposed inside the card extending portion 304. The chipslot 307 has a thin case-like chip case portion 307 a in which one endis opened. The chip case portion 307 a is placed above the printedcircuit board 309 and parallel thereto so that the insertion port is onthe reference opposing face 304 a. In the chip case portion 307 a, theconnecting terminals 302 a of the SIM card 302 are exposed from thelower face, and electrically connected to spring terminals 309 a on theprinted circuit board 309.

In accordance with the insertion or extraction of the SIM card 302, thethus configured chip case portion 307 a is reciprocally moved in theinsertion direction A3− of the SIM card 302 or the extraction directionA3+. The chip slot 307 is configured so that the chip case portion 307 ais moved in the insertion direction A3− in accordance with the insertionof the SIM card 302, and engaged inside the card extending portion 304,thereby placing a rear end edge portion (a portion on the side of theinsertion port) of the SIM card 302 on or inside the reference opposingface 304 a. Furthermore, the chip slot 307 is configured so that theengagement is canceled by pressing down an insertion port portion of thechip case portion 307 a, and the chip case portion 307 a is moved in theextraction direction A3+of the SIM card 302, thereby exposing the rearend edge portion of the SIM card 302.

In order to improve the insertion of the SIM card 302, a cutaway portion308 is formed in the card extending portion 304. The cutaway portion 308is recessed from the reference opposing face 304 a in the insertiondirection A3− of the SIM card 302, in a concave curved shape conformingto an external shape of a finger, and overlaps with a mouth portion ofthe chip slot 307, so that a rear end portion of the SIM card 302inserted to the chip slot 307 is exposed.

Next, the use manner or function of the PC card 301 of the embodimentwill be described.

As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, when the SIM card 302 is inserted to thechip slot 307 of the card extending portion 304, and the PC card 301 isinserted into the PC slot 311, the card terminal portion 303 a iselectrically connected to the PC terminal portion 312. Therefore, the PC310 supplies the power source to the PC card 301, and a radiocommunication enabled state is established.

Under such circumstances, the reference opposing face 304 a of the cardextending portion 304 is placed with forming a gap that is as small as adegree at which a finger cannot be inserted, with respect to the sideface 310 a of the PC 310 on the end face the PC slot 311. Since theinsertion port of the chip slot 307 is on the reference opposing face304 a, the operator cannot extract the SIM card 302 inserted into thechip slot 307 while the PC 310 conducts radio communication.

As described above, in the embodiment, the chip slot 307 is disposed inthe card extending portion 304, and the SIM card 302 is inserted to thechip slot. Therefore, the SIM card 302 is connected and held outside thePC 310, and can be excluded from the influence of electrical noisesgenerated in the PC 310.

In the embodiment, the SIM card 302 is inserted and extracted by thereciprocal movement of the chip case portion 307 a in the card extendingportion 304. Therefore, a cutaway portion is not required to be disposedin the card body portion, and hence the strength of the card itself canbe held to prevent a circuit board or the like from being destroyed.

In this point, particularly, the cutaway portion 308 is disposed in thereference opposing face 304 a (the mouth of the chip slot 307) of thecard extending portion 304, and the rear end portion of the inserted SIMcard 302 is exposed. When the SIM card 302 is to be inserted orextracted, the SIM card 302 can be handled without producing excessivestress in the card. The cutaway portion 308 has an advantage that, inthe state where the PC card 301 is inserted, it is possible to knowwhether the SIM card 302 is inserted or not.

In the embodiment, the insertion port of the chip slot 307 is placed atthe position close to the side face of the PC 310 so as be opposedthereto. Therefore, an erroneous operation of extracting the SIM card302 from the PC card 301 in a state where the PC card 301 is inserted tothe PC 310 can be prevented from occurring.

Sixth Embodiment

Next, a sixth embodiment of the card for information equipment of theinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A, 11B, 12A, and12B.

FIG. 11A is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a PCcard of the sixth embodiment, FIG. 11B is an enlarged view of a portionP in FIG. 11A, FIG. 12A is a right side section view taken along theline X-X of FIG. 11A, and FIG. 12B is a front section view taken alongthe line Y-Y of FIG. 11A.

As shown in FIG. 11A, the PC card 301A of the sixth embodiment isdifferent mainly from the fifth embodiment in that a slide recessportion 330 is disposed in the card body portion 303, and,correspondingly, in the configurations of the card extending portion304, etc. Hereinafter, these points will be described in detail, and,with the other configuration, the same reference numerals as those ofthe fifth embodiment are used and their description is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B or FIGS. 12A and 12B, in the sixthembodiment, the slide recess portion 330 is disposed in the card bodyportion 303. The slide recess portion 330 is used for guiding the SIMcard 302 to the chip slot 307 of the card extending portion 304,occupies a region which is slightly larger than the external shape ofthe SIM card 302, and which extends over an area from an interfaceportion (a portion of the reference opposing face 304 a) between thecard extending portion 304 and the card body portion 303 to the cardterminal portion 303 a, and placed so that the SIM card 302 is embeddedin the card body portion 303.

The slide recess portion 330 has a rectangular through hole 333 which isdisposed in the card body portion 303, and has a pair of side slideportions 331, 331 which are disposed on the both sides of the throughhole 333, and an end slope portion 332 which is disposed on the rearside of the through hole 333 (the side of the card terminals) In theembodiment, “recess” of the slide recess portion 330 includes a casewhere the surface of the card body portion 303 partially sinks and isbottomed, and that where the card body portion 303 is passed through andnot bottomed. The latter case is more advantageous because the guidingposition to the insertion port of the chip slot 307 can be adjustedwithout being affected by the thickness of a member constituting thecard body portion 303, and that of the printed circuit board 309.

Each of the side slide portions 331 is formed into a block piece-likeshape which stepwise falls from the upper face of the card body portion303. In order that the side slide portion abuts against a side edgeportion of the SIM card 302, the length of the block piece is set to belarger than that of the SIM card 302, and the distance with respect tothe other side slide portion 331 is smaller than the width of the SIMcard 302.

The thickness (height) of the side slide portion 331 is set so that theupper face of the portion is substantially flush with the upper face ofthe printed circuit board 309. By contrast, the chip slot 307 is placedso that a guiding face (the upper face of a bottom portion) of the chipcase portion 307 a is substantially flush with the upper face of theside slide portion 331.

The end slope portion 332 is formed as a slope which is obliquelydownward inclined from the upper face of the card body portion 303toward the upper faces of the side slide portions 331. The end slopeportion abuts against the rear end portion of the SIM card 302, andallows the card to slide on the side slide portions 331.

The chip case portion 307 a in the embodiment is placed at a position (aposition which is closer to the printed circuit board) which is lowerthan that in the fifth embodiment. Correspondingly, also the thickness(height) of the card extending portion 304 is set to be smaller thanthat in the fifth embodiment. An escape hole 309 b is formed in theprinted circuit board 309 by a size which does not interfere with theslide recess portion 330 (see FIGS. 11A and 11B).

In the thus configured embodiment, when the SIM card 302 is to beinserted, the SIM card 302 is dropped into the slide recess portion 330,and then slid toward the card extending portion 304 while being lightlypressed with a finger. The SIM card 302 is then guided by the side slideportions 331 and the end slope portion 332 to slip into the chip slot307, and, without any further operation, the connecting terminals 302 aof the SIM card 302 are placed on the connecting terminals 309 a of theprinted circuit board 309 to be electrically connected thereto.

In the embodiment, the slide recess portion 330 is disposed in the cardbody portion 303, and the SIM card 302 is guided into the chip slot 307by the recess portion. Therefore, the SIM card 302 can be easilyinserted without nipping the card with fingers, simply by sliding thecard with a finger, and can be safely inserted without producingexcessive stress in the SIM card 302.

Particularly, the SIM card 302 is led onto the printed circuit board 309by the guidance of the side slide portions 331, and placed on theprinted circuit board. Therefore, the thickness of the connectingterminals of the printed circuit board 309 can be reduced, andcorrespondingly also the thickness of the card extending portion 304 canbe reduced.

In the embodiment, the rear end portion of the SIM card 302 is exposedby the cutaway portion 308 of the card extending portion 304, and thethrough hole 333 of the slide recess portion 330 allows the exposed rearend portion of the SIM card 302 to be easily nipped with fingers.Therefore, the SIM card 302 can be extracted easily and safely.

The other configuration and effects of the PC card 301A are identicalwith those of the fifth embodiment.

Seventh Embodiment

Next, a seventh embodiment of the card for information equipment of theinvention will be described with reference to FIGS. 13A to 13C.

FIG. 13A is a plan view schematically showing the configuration of a USBcommunication terminal of the seventh embodiment, FIG. 13B is a rightside view of the USB communication terminal, and FIG. 13C is a plan viewshowing a state where the USB communication terminal is inserted to aPC.

As shown in FIGS. 13A to 13C, the USB communication terminal 301B of theseventh embodiment is a box-like terminal, and has a terminal bodyportion 315 and a USB plug 317.

In the same manner as the fifth and sixth embodiments, the terminal bodyportion 315 incorporates a printed circuit board, an internal antenna(these components are not shown), and the like, and the indicator 305 isformed on the outer surface. The USB plug 317 is to be inserted into aUSB slot (not shown) of the PC 310 according to the USB (UniversalSerial Bus) system, and electrically connected to a USB port which is atan inner position of the slot.

The USB plug 317 is mounted via a step 316 to one side face of theterminal body portion 315. The one side face of the terminal bodyportion 315 corresponds to “reference opposing face 304 a” in the fifthand sixth embodiments, and, in this embodiment, referred to as“reference opposing face 315 a.” When the USB plug 317 is inserted tothe USB slot, the step 316 makes an interval between the referenceopposing face 315 a of the terminal body portion 315 and the side face310 a of the PC 310 which is flush with the insertion port of the USBslot, as a gap that is as small as a degree at which a finger cannot beinserted.

In the embodiment, the chip slot 307 which is similar to that in thefifth or sixth embodiment is disposed in the reference opposing face 315a of the terminal body portion. An eject button (operation portion) 318for ejecting the SIM card 302 from the chip slot 307 is disposed on thesame plane (the reference opposing face 315 a) as the insertion port ofthe chip slot 307.

The eject button 318 is retractable into the reference opposing face 315a. When the chip case portion 307 a (see FIG. 9A) is moved in theinsertion direction A3− of the SIM card 302 in accordance with theinsertion of the SIM card 302, the eject button 318 is placed with beingprotruded. By contrast, when the eject button 318 is depressed inside,the chip case portion 307 a is moved in the extraction direction A3+ ofthe SIM card 302 to be protruded from the insertion port of the chipslot.

As described above, in the embodiment, the chip slot 307 is disposed inthe terminal body portion 315 to cause the insertion port to be on thereference opposing face 315 a, and the SIM card 302 is inserted to thechip slot 307. Even in a box type terminal, in the same manner as the PCcards 301, 301A, the SIM card 302 can be prevented from being extractedfrom the terminal body portion 315 during a period when the USB plug 317is inserted to the USB port and the USB communication terminal 301Boperates.

In the embodiment, particularly, the eject button 318 is disposedtogether with the insertion port of the chip slot 307 on the referenceopposing face 315 a. In the state where the USB plug 317 is inserted tothe USB port, therefore, the operator cannot touch the eject button 318.When the USB communication terminal 301B operates, consequently, theejection of the SIM card 302 can be prevented from occurring.

The other configuration and effects with respect to the principal pointsof the USB communication terminal 301B are identical with those of thefifth and sixth embodiments.

The invention is not restricted to the fifth to seventh embodiments, andcan be variously modified.

In the invention, the cutaway portion in the mouth of the chip slot isdisposed in the PC cards of the fifth and sixth embodiments.Alternatively, the cutaway portion may be disposed in the USBcommunication terminal of the seventh embodiment. The cutaway portionhas the function of, in the state where the SIM card (chip card) isinserted, exposing the rear end portion (insertion port side portion) ofthe SIM card. This function can be divided into a function offacilitating the extraction of the exposed SIM card by nipping the rearend portion, and that of, in the state where the PC card or the like isinserted to the PC while exposing the rear end portion of the SIM card,recognizing whether the SIM card is inserted or not.

In the invention, in order to further improve the former function(extractabiltiy of a SIM card), the eject button (operation portion) isdisposed in the USB communication terminal (terminal for an informationequipment) of the seventh embodiment, the eject button is protruded whena SIM card is inserted, and the SIM card is ejected by operating theprotruded eject button. Such an eject button may be disposed in the PCcards (terminals for an information equipment) of the fifth and sixthembodiments. The invention is not restricted to this. From anotherviewpoint, in the seventh embodiment, for example, the eject button isprotruded from the step in a state where the SIM card is not inserted,and the eject button abuts against the end face the PC (informationequipment) when the USB plug is inserted, thereby informing the operatorthat the SIM card is not inserted. This is applicable also to the fifthand sixth embodiments.

In order to further improve the latter function (recognizability of aSIM card) in the function of partly exposing the SIM card, an upperportion to which the SIM card is inserted (in the fifth and sixthembodiments, a ceiling face portion of the chip case portion, and thecorresponding ceiling face portion of the card body portion) is madetransparent or translucent.

In the invention, as in the fifth to seventh embodiments, it ispreferable that the rear end portion of the SIM card is placed on orinside the reference opposing face. The invention is not restricted tothis. The rear end portion of the SIM card may be protruded from thereference opposing face. In this case, there is an advantage that theextractabiltiy and recognizability of a SIM card are further improved.The amount of projection of a SIM card is restricted to a range wherethe SIM card does not abut against an end face of a PC.

The invention can be applied to a card type terminal such as a PC card,or a box type terminal such as a USB communication terminal. However,the invention is not restricted to this. The invention can be applied toany terminal for information equipment as far as it comprises aconnecting portion which is to be electrically connected to informationequipment therein, and a box portion which is protruded from a side faceof the information equipment in a state where the connecting portion iselectrically connected.

Each of the PC cards of the second embodiment to the sixth embodimentand the USB communication terminal of the seventh embodiment has a portsimilar to the insertion port 107 a in the PC card 101 of the firstembodiment.

1. A card which is to be inserted into a card slot of an informationequipment, comprising: a card terminal portion which is electricallyconnected to the information equipment in a state where the card isinserted into the card slot; and a chip slot which is provided forinserting a chip card into the card, wherein an insertion port of thechip slot is provided in a surface which is not facing to internalsurfaces of the card slot, and the chip card is restricted to be ejectedfrom the insertion port when the card is inserted into the card slot. 2.A card for information equipment, comprising: a card body portion whichis to be inserted into a card slot of the information equipment; a cardterminal portion which is electrically connected to the informationequipment in a state where the card body portion is inserted into thecard slot; and a chip slot which is provided for inserting a chip cardinto the card body portion, wherein an insertion port of the chip slotis placed in an insertion port of the card slot when the card bodyportion is inserted into the card slot, the card body portion has anoperation portion which is provided for ejecting a chip card insertedinto the chip slot, and the operation portion is placed so as to becovered by the card slot when the card body portion is inserted into thecard slot.
 3. A card for information equipment, comprising: a card bodyportion which is to be inserted into a card slot of the informationequipment; a card terminal portion which is electrically connected tothe information equipment in a state where the card body portion isinserted into the card slot; and a card extending portion which projectsfrom the card slot in a state where the card body portion is inserted,wherein the card extending portion has a chip slot which is provided forinserting a chip card into the card body portion, an insertion port ofthe chip slot is placed on an outer side face which leads to aninsertion port of the card slot when the card body portion is insertedinto the card slot, the card body portion has an operation portion whichis provided for ejecting a chip card inserted into the chip slot, andthe operation portion is placed so as to be covered by the card slotwhen the card body portion is inserted into the card slot.
 4. The cardfor information equipment according to claim 3, wherein a part or wholeof the card extending portion is transparent or translucent.
 5. The cardfor information equipment according to claim 2, wherein the operationportion reciprocally moves in conjunction with the chip slot, in adirection of inserting or extracting the chip card.
 6. The card forinformation equipment according to claim 3, wherein the operationportion reciprocally moves in conjunction with the chip slot, in adirection of inserting or extracting the chip card.
 7. A card forinformation equipment, comprising: a card body portion which is to beinserted into a card slot of the information equipment; a card terminalportion which is electrically connected to an equipment terminal portionin the information equipment in a state where the card body portion isinserted into the card slot; and a card extending portion which projectsfrom the card slot in a state where the card body portion is inserted,wherein the card extending portion has a chip housing portion whichhouses a chip card, and a chip cover which exposes or covers the chiphousing portion in accordance with selection of an open state or a closestate, and the close state of the chip cover is not canceled in a statewhere the card body portion is inserted into the card slot, and the cardterminal portion is not electrically connected to the equipment terminalportion in the open state of the chip cover.
 8. The card for informationequipment according to claim 7, wherein the chip cover rotates about afulcrum to be opened and closed, one side portion of the chip cover isadjacent to the information equipment in the state where the card bodyportion is inserted into the card slot and the close state of the chipcover, and another side portion of the chip cover adjoins against theinformation equipment in the open state of the chip cover so as to keepa distance that the card terminal portion does not contact with theequipment terminal portion.
 9. The card for information equipmentaccording to claim 8, wherein, a distance from the fulcrum to theanother side portion of the chip cover is set so that a distance from anabutting position of the information equipment to the card terminalportion is shorter than a distance from the abutting position of theinformation equipment to the equipment terminal portion.
 10. The cardfor information equipment according to claim 7, wherein the chip coverhas a flange portion which extends toward the card terminal portion, andthe chip cover rotates with the flange portion about a support shaft tobe opened and closed, the flange portion is inserted into the card slotin a state where the card body portion is inserted into the card slotand the close state of the chip cover, and the flange portion abutsagainst the information equipment in the open state of the chip cover soas to keep a distance that the card terminal portion does not contactwith the equipment terminal portion.
 11. The card for informationequipment according to claim 10, wherein the support shaft is providedto the chip cover in parallel to an insertion direction of the card bodyportion, and a length of the flange portion is set so that a distancefrom an abutting position of the information equipment to the cardterminal portion is shorter than a distance from the abutting positionof the information equipment to the equipment terminal portion.
 12. Thecard for information equipment according to claim 7, wherein the chipcover is transparent or translucent.
 13. A terminal for informationequipment, comprising: a card body portion which is to be inserted intoa card slot of the information equipment; a card terminal portion whichis electrically connected to the information equipment in a state wherethe card body portion is inserted into the card slot; and a cardextending portion which is provided on another end side of the card bodyso that the card extending portion projects from the card slot in astate where the card body portion is inserted, wherein the cardextending portion has a chip slot which is provided for inserting a chipcard into the card body portion, and an insertion port of the chip slotis placed on a surface thereof opposed to an insertion port of the cardslot when the card body portion is inserted into the card slot.
 14. Theterminal for information equipment according to claim 13, wherein thecard body portion has a slide recess portion which guides the chip cardto the chip slot.
 15. The terminal for information equipment accordingto claim 14, wherein the slide recess portion has a pair of side slideportions which guide side portions of the card chip, and the pair ofside slide portions are placed to be substantially flush with a circuitboard incorporated in the card extending portion.
 16. A terminal forinformation equipment, comprising: a USB plug which is to be insertedinto a USB slot of information equipment, and is electrically connectedto the information equipment; and a terminal body portion which isprovided on one end side of the USB plug so that the terminal bodyportion projects from the USB slot in a state where the USB plug isinserted, wherein the terminal body portion has a chip slot which isprovided for inserting a chip card into the terminal body portion, andan insertion port of the chip slot is placed on a surface thereofopposed to an insertion port of the USB slot when the USB plug isinserted into the USB slot.
 17. The terminal for information equipmentaccording to claim 13, wherein the card body portion has an operationportion which is provided for ejecting the chip card inserted into thechip slot, in a plane that is substantially flush with the insertionport of the chip slot.
 18. The terminal for information equipmentaccording to claim 16, wherein the terminal body portion has anoperation portion which is provided for ejecting the chip card insertedinto the chip slot, in a plane that is substantially flush with theinsertion port of the chip slot.
 19. The terminal for informationequipment according to claim 13, wherein a cutaway portion which exposesa part of the chip card in a state where the chip card is inserted intothe chip slot is disposed in the insertion port of the chip slot. 20.The terminal for information equipment according to claim 16, wherein acutaway portion which exposes a part of the chip card in a state wherethe chip card is inserted into the chip slot is disposed in theinsertion port of the chip slot.